2005 Buick Lacrosse: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Steering · 64,000 miles · AK

Pulled into parking lot and lost power steering. Lots of clunking and grinding just prior. Mechanic says power steering hoses, rack and pinion and tie rods. Yet another problem with this vehicle. Gm was aware enough of the problem that they put a supervisor on the line but said that it is out of warranty now, so it's not their problem. Going to try to work with local guys to get out of it. Not sinking another penny into this car. If this had happened on the highway, I'd be dead.

Filed Mar 8, 2011 · Steering · 35,143 miles · IL

My vehicle was experiencing clunking whenever I turned the steering wheel while driving with less than 35,000 miles on it. It had become progressively worse over the past few months. The steering also felt a bit loose. I contacted gm for vehicle recalls and there was one on the steering column but not for my vehicle or the intermediate shaft which as it turns out was the defective part and the shaft was loose internally. Gm insisted I go to a gm dealer for service to see if I "might" be eligible for replacement assistance. I told them I had a certified mechanic who was closer and less expensive. I offered to send them the defective part and they were not interested. Gm stated when I filed my complaint with them that they will not review any vehicle issues unless serviced by a gm dealer. They also offered no opinion when I told them gm has multiple service bulletins on the clunking issue and this defective part. I know of at least 15 similar complaints filed with the federal safety agency. Apparently, gm won't take ownership of defective parts unless someone loses steering, dies and they are sued. So much for customer service. I am curious how many other intermediate shafts have been replaced by gm or other mechanics - maybe hundreds or thousands. I also had to replace two front defective outer tie rod ends at 30,000 miles and this is with gentle driving. Looks like another defective part and dangerous too if not caught in time.

Filed Nov 15, 2010 · Steering · 53,000 miles · WI

I have 53000 miles on this car and it's been clunking every time I turn the steering wheel left or right. I'm told this is a problem with the intermediate shaft. I'll be getting it repaired as soon as possible. Shame on gm. That said, I'll guess im going with toyota or honda!!

Filed Jun 16, 2010 · Steering · 30,000 miles · FL

Clunking noise while steering... Brought it to my dealer...knew right away the trouble....said that steering was a problem with my model...involves intermediate steering column part....required lubrication and replacement of part and labor....car only had 30,000 miles.

Filed May 25, 2010 · Steering · 15,000 miles · CA

Clunking in steering column.

Filed Oct 1, 2009 · Steering, Transmission · TX

2005 buick lacrosse was bought used with slightly over 44,000 miles back in may of 2008 and was taken to the dealership for acceleration and transmission shifting issues several times since purchase. Car would not accelerate, losing power while going up hills, bogging down while slightly accelerating to pass, and the transmission would shimmy between 1st and 2nd gears, and clunk when coming to a stop. Naturally, the dealership played the guessing game replacing the catalytic converter, the torque converter and sensor, and even re-programmed the computer, and could no longer duplicate any problems once they had run out of their options two months ago the car developed a clicking noise while turning the steering wheel either direction, the dealer was able to determine within an hour that it was the intermediate steering shaft and proposed lubrication to resolve the issue for a cost of over $300. Sounds like they were already aware of this popular issue.

Filed Sep 18, 2009 · Steering · 23,000 miles · NY

Clunking noise in the steering of 2005 buick lacrosse with 25,000 miles. Noticed it about 500 miles earlier and is getting worse day by day.

Filed Jul 13, 2009 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 buick lacrosse. Whenever the contact places the vehicle into drive, he hears a loud clunking noise and it feels as if the vehicle is not in gear. After a while, the engine will rev and finally shift into the proper gear. While driving less than 15 MPH, it feels as if the gears are changing and the clunking noise is heard again. The vehicle has been to the dealer several times, but the manufacturer stated that the vehicle is working properly. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 73,000 and current mileage was 76,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2009 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · OH

2005 buick lacrosse transmission failed at 81,000 miles- took car to dealership before extended warranty expired with the hard shifting problem before the transmission went out they stated it wasn't the transmission- transmission had to be rebuilt at my cost $2,500. Per google search this has been a common problem other owners of the same car have had.

Filed Dec 15, 2008 · Steering · 41,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 buick lacrosse. The contact stated that there was a tsb regarding a clunking noise (service bulletin number 4105, the federal safety agency campaign id number 10020049 (steering:column)). The failure occurs whenever the steering wheel is turned. The tsb stated that the failure can be resolved by greasing the wheel and was due to insufficient lubrication of the intermediate steering shaft. The failure began at 41,000 miles in 2007 while driving 15 MPH. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they repaired the vehicle according to the tsb; however, the mechanic stated that the failure would occur again. Currently, at 66,000 miles, the failure is recurring. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was corrected the first time and they would not repair it again since it was out of warranty. The contact believes a recall should be issued since it is a manufacturer defect. The failure mileage was 41,000 and current mileage was 67,000. Updated 01/08/09 *bf the consumer stated the steering intermediate shaft has inadequate lubrication, which cause a clunking noise. The consumer stated the noise has returned. Updated 01/09/09.

Filed Feb 25, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 5,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 buick lacrosse. While driving between 20-30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The speed would increase after driving 3-4 miles. When the vehicle was started after being parked for hours, it idled roughly and the "traction control" and "engine power reduced" warning indicator lights illuminated. The dealer reprogrammed the PCM, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000 and current mileage was 15,800. Updated 3/19/08 *cn the consumer stated the vehicle runs rough and would not go over 40mph. The dealer performed brake pedal recall. The consumer stated there was a clunking noise in the steering column. Updated 03/19/08

Filed Oct 11, 2007 · Wheels · 30 miles · NJ

I was merging onto the nj tpk at 14a heading west, on the road for less than a minute, about 4 feet before merge, heard a clunking noise and my front passenger tire felt flat. I pulled over and called for help. The sunoco dot came and said tire was good, but rim blew out. When changing original tire to the donut, my original buick rim, factory equipped, came off in two pieces. I have gone to dealership difeo in jersey city, nj , and was told not a general motor defect not covered under warranty. Union pontiac dealership tells me the same. I called general motors directly, and was told the rim is not a defect of theirs. Did not know the manufacturer or part number. On october 9, 2007 contacted union pontiac parts dept. And was given part #88964115, but no record of manufacturer. Made of chrome white aluminum. My complaint is if I was going at a speed of 55-65 MPH, rim would have popped off my tire, front end fall to the ground, damaging my axle,etc. Causing me to swerve, possibly physical injury or death.thank god I was only going about 15 MPH and only went a short distance.I need your help to see if general motors will take responsibility for this incident. They are the ones who manufactured my 2005 buick la crosse cxs and had these rims placed on my car.I had to drive with an almost fitted rim from a tire company, and purchase 4 new rims made of steel chrome alloy. Will last longer than my car. After this incident I was not going to order the same rim and take another chance in the future for the same thing happen to me. Total cost of loss: $1128. Buick should think of safety, using steel chrome rims, will outlast the life of my car.why is it that there must be a death, or a major collision for the manufacturer to do a research and only recalls based on how many complaints?these rims are unsafe and should replaced on all the 2005 buicks having such rims to steel, chrome alloy. Rim manufacturer known to all. Please investigate and respond back.